2017 OT Kadeem Telfort Flips Commitment from Miami to Florida

As if the rivalry between Florida and Miami (Florida) wasn't heated enough, a new log was thrown into the fire Tuesday with the announcement by 3-star 2017 offensive line prospect Kadeem Telfort that he was switching his commitment from Miami to the Gators.

"

I've talked it over with my parents and we came to a decision that I will decommit from The University Of Miami.

— Kadeem Telfort ® (@Nosackzone___) July 7, 2015"

"

I am extremely happy to announce that I will be committing to The University Of Flordia  #GatorNation #Gators pic.twitter.com/DLs10rPVMl

— Kadeem Telfort ® (@Nosackzone___) July 7, 2015"

Telfort, a 6'6", 306-pound tackle from Miami, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 396 prospect in the 2017 recruiting class. The 43rd-best offensive tackle and the No. 52 player in the Sunshine State committed to Miami in February but since then had picked up offers from Auburn, Florida and South Florida. He unofficially visited Gainesville on June 9.

Telfort is set to be a junior this fall at Norland High School, the same school that produced former Miami guard Ereck Flowers, the No. 9 pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

His value as an individual recruit is superseded by what his change in commitment means. Florida coach Jim McElwain and his staff are turning the corner in their effort to regain a strong footing in South Florida while simultaneously squashing some of the momentum the Hurricanes have amassed the last few months.

All three of Florida's commits for 2017 are from the Miami area, including 4-star Fort Lauderdale quarterback Jake Allen, who pledged on July 1. Additionally, five of the Gators' 14 commits for 2016 are from South Florida, a sign that ex-Miami coach Randy Shannon (now an assistant with Florida) still has some of his old connections, per David Furones of the Miami Herald.

Miami's 2017 class is still looking quite good, as Telfort was the lowest-rated of the eight players who had been on board, and 247Sports still has the Hurricanes ranked second overall behind Ohio State. Their 2016 class currently ranks fifth with 22 pledges, including 10 who are rated as 4-stars.

Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.